Chapter 220.
"Next up, we have the Skywater Academy and the Thunderclap Academy, along with Tang San and the others," Wang Feng reflected. The Skywater Academy would likely concede defeat automatically, and if the Thunderclap Academy were wise, they would also do the same. Even if they managed to withstand the ten-second barrage, victory was certain to elude them. However, if the opponent persisted, Wang Feng would be left with no choice.
In terms of overall strength, the Skywater Academy doesn't match up to Thunderclap Academy and Godwind Academy. However, Wang Feng recalled from the original work that Skywater Academy possessed a formidable martial soul fusion skill, although he couldn't recall its name. While it wasn't practical to inflict harm upon oneself, both Skywater and Thunderclap Academies' attacks featured unique effects: freezing and paralysis. These special restrictive effects still posed a threat to Wang Feng. Without being in a [Deification] soul skill state, he couldn't become immune to these control effects, but he could employ various techniques to evade them.
"I wonder if Xiao San will surrender directly?" Wang Feng pondered. Surrendering would be the optimal choice, as engaging in a futile battle would only result in defeat. Furthermore, conceding would conserve energy for the promotion match.
Upon his return to the academy, Wang Feng resumed training. The subsequent qualifiers held no surprises for him. Over the course of ten days and ten matches, every team that encountered the Purple Star Academy chose to forfeit. Even Godwind Academy, among the top-tier five element academies lost against Jiu Yikai, so all the other academies opted to concede after defeat. Other academy teams followed suit, recognizing that challenging the Purple Star Academy would only deplete their energy. The wisest course of action was to admit defeat and conserve their strength. Thus far, the Purple Star Academy maintained an unbroken winning streak.
In contrast, Shrek Academy had struggled against the Godwind Academy team due to not having all its members on the battlefield. The cloud manifestation tactic employed by the Godwind Academy team proved insurmountable, and Tang San couldn't devise a viable solution. Even Godly Zhuge Crossbow, a formidable weapon, proved ineffective, as it wasn't a soul bone and couldn't be utilized in battle. They were unable to counter tactics like those used by Jiu Yikai.
Consequently, Grandmaster instructed them to surrender and conserve their strength. This time, Tang San didn't object, and neither did anyone else. As for Wang Feng, who had only played once, it seemed as though he had been concealed by the snow and didn't appear in subsequent games. This left many feeling disappointed.
However, during the match against Thunderclap Academy, things took a turn. Having already lost to the Godwind Academy team, Grandmaster unexpectedly permitted Wang Feng to compete.
"Against Thunderclap Academy, master has allowed Feng'ge to play today. It's been nearly 20 days since the qualifiers began. Apart from Thunderclap Academy, we've yet to face Skywater Academy and Purple Star Academy."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
"The master also mentioned earlier that Feng'ge only has two opportunities to play in the qualifiers. Let's make the most of them. The previous match against Elephant Armored Academy, he has already played once," Tang San concluded.
Tang San addressed the group, "Tomorrow, we'll be facing the Thunderclap Academy. Let's analyze it. If we only deploy Mubai, Xiao Wu, and myself, our chances of winning aren't high. Thunderclap Academy boasts formidable offensive capabilities and employs a fixed belt with a paralyzing effect. Melee combat isn't favorable for us, especially against their seven-person lineup."
"So, we should include brother Feng. His [Deification] skill inherently counters lightning paralysis effects, rendering him immune to Thunder Academy's attacks. With Mubai as our strongest fighter supported by us, we can effectively combat their seven-person team."
"Alternatively, we could utilize my second soul ability, Ice Flame Fury Lotus, to unleash a large-scale bombardment on Thunderclap Academy, allowing us to capitalize on the chaos."
"In my opinion, this is the most efficient strategy to handle Thunderclap Academy."
"If Brother Feng doesn't participate tomorrow, we'll have him for either the final match against Skywater Academy or the encounter with Purple Star Academy."
"What do you all think?" Tang San concluded, awaiting their input.
He knew that facing Thunderclap Academy with just the three of them wouldn't suffice. It would require the participation of at least five to six members, and victory wasn't guaranteed. Moreover, engaging in team fights with Thunderclap Academy could inflict significant injuries on the players. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass wasn't immune to lightning and enduring a heavy blow could hamper his recovery for days. Nevertheless, this battle was crucial.
"I suggest brother Feng should play," Xiao Wu interjected.
"At least we can secure a stable victory initially. We should have no trouble defeating Skywater Academy afterward. As for Purple Star Academy..."
Xiao Wu trailed off. Over the past week, Purple Star Academy and Jiu Yikai's reputation had soared. Their undefeated streak, including a convincing victory over Godwind Academy, had propelled them with unstoppable momentum. In team battles, momentum played a crucial role, and facing such a formidable force, Xiao Wu felt a strong desire to triumph, even if it meant deploying all Seven Devils. Revealing the strength of all seven during the qualifiers could jeopardize their chances of advancing.
"I agree," Dai Mubai added. "Brother Feng's [Deification] soul ability is his trump card. It's perfectly suited for combating teams like Thunderclap Academy with its paralyzing control effect. One person should suffice."
"Skywater Academy may not present as favorable an opportunity."
"The Ice Flame Fury Lotus could also prove decisive," Dai Mubai continued.
Wang Feng remained silent, a smile playing on his lips. The soul ring bestowed by Golden Lotus had evolved into a ten-thousand-year old soul ring, enhancing his [Deification] soul ability to perfection. It served as an amalgamation of various enhancements, although it consumed a considerable amount of energy to activate, it doesn't pale in comparison to martial soul fusion skills.
It had long surpassed the [Deification] soul ability originally understood by the Shrek Seven Devils. However, if Wang Feng were to take the field, he could employ Ice Flame Fury Lotus, his second soul ability. Wang Feng believed that aside from the Godwind team, no other team could probably dodge or withstand the onslaught of the Red Lotus soul ability!
"I suggest that to prevent Feng'ge from revealing too much, even if he takes the field, he should only utilize his second soul ability," Ma Hongjun suggested with a smile.
"It's been ages since we've seen brother Feng's second soul ability, Ice Flame Fury Lotus."
Wang Feng hadn't used the Ice Flame Fury Lotus soul ability frequently. This super-wide range group attack inflicted tremendous damage, with both ice and fire attributes, and Wang Feng had limited control over its range and targets. In essence, his Ice Flame Fury Lotus could blanket the entire arena, causing significant harm even to his teammates. Thus, Wang Feng rarely employed this fearsome soul skill, reserving its usage for specific occasions.
He had used it during a spar with Zhao Wuji and even then sparingly in the following year to demonstrate its effects to the Seven Devils. However, half a year ago, upon obtaining his fourth soul ring, the Red Lotus had grown stronger, enhancing the soul ability's scope and power significantly. Once unleashed, even elite soul masters from Thunderclap Academy would likely suffer severe injuries or may even die if he unleashed it.
"Fatty's suggestion is reasonable, let's refrain from using the [Deification] soul ability, especially with the finals ahead," Oscar chimed in after pondering for a moment.
"However, shouldn't we consider leaving the captain behind to deal with Jiu Yikai? Grandmaster has only granted us two opportunities to utilize the captain."
Wang Feng couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at Oscar's words. Why did this plan sound peculiar?
"No, after observing these past few days, it seems our only chance to defeat Jiu Yikai is if Feng'ge reveals more of his strength," Tang San responded.
Tang San shook his head, "We could face Jiu Yikai on the field, but revealing our hand isn't necessary against such a formidable opponent with a high winning rate. Besides, I have a feeling that the opponent still has many unrevealed cards."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The observations over the past few days, along with the analysis of Jiu Yikai following the previous battles, had provided them with a clearer understanding of their opponent's strength. It appeared that the opponent's pure physical prowess had likely surpassed that of sixty-level power attack Soul Emperor. With the addition of a special soul bone as a weapon, he wielded an almost unbeatable attack method.
Even if Feng'ge were to compete, victory wouldn't be guaranteed unless he used all of his strength. In such circumstances, why not have Feng'ge face Thunderclap Academy instead? It's a sure win. They wouldn't need to reveal any additional strength, as only Feng'ge would participate, leaving them to reap the rewards.
"Then it's settled!" The seven of them concluded their discussion. The lineup remained unchanged, with only Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Wang Feng playing, along with the four remaining substitutes.
"So, I have a question," Tai Long asked somewhat naively, "What is Captain Monster Wang Feng's second soul ability? Can we really win against Thunderclap Academy so easily and confidently?"
Dai Mubai patted Tai Long's reassuringly and smiled, "Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough. This should be our easiest battle against these elemental academies compared to our previous encounters with Elephant Armored Academy and Blazing Academy. Relax."
The other three substitutes looked at Wang Feng with curiosity. For them, Wang Feng was somewhat of a mystery. However, Grandmaster's decision to let Wang Feng play again was evidently crucial.
...….
Please support me if you can, it would be highly appreciated.
Subscribe to my patréon and read 30 chapters ahead on it.
patréon.com/PrimorDious.
I'll be very grateful. Thank you.